It took some time for Aston Villa to see the best of Fabian Delph but, after a breakthrough 2013-14 campaign, the club’s 24-year-old midfield talisman has duly been rewarded with a much-anticipated England call-up.

Joining from Leeds United in August 2009 for around £8 million, injuries blighted Delph’s first few seasons at Villa Park, leaving some to question whether the former under-21 international would ever realise his undoubted potential.

However, the past campaign was something of a renaissance for the Bradford-native, as his 33 appearances earned widespread plaudits, and saw manager Paul Lambert tip him for a first senior call-up.

Now named as one of four uncapped players in Roy Hodgson’s 22-man squad for the upcoming matches against Norway and Switzerland, Delph will have a prime opportunity to impress with Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick and Adam Lallana all out injured, plus the international retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Villa supporters are evidently keen to see him succeed and, as the following reactions show, they believe his place in the side is more than deserved.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.